Iranian lawmakers chant slogans while Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf sits in the center, wearing Revolutionary Guard uniforms, in a parliament session. (AP photo)
The Trump administration is said to be exploring Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as a potential interlocutor — and even a potential future leader — as it signals a shift from military pressure to a negotiated endgame.According to a Politico report, Ghalibaf, 64, who has often issued strong warnings against the United States and its allies, is viewed by some in the White House as a pragmatic insider who can help guide talks in the next phase of the conflict, according to administration officials.
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However, officials stressed that a final decision has not been made yet. The administration is evaluating multiple figures within Iran’s power structure, conducting effective “stress tests” of potential partners to identify someone willing and able to reach an agreement.
“It’s a strong option,” one official said, adding that the process remains fluid. “We need to evaluate carefully – we can’t rush this.”This communication reflects a growing desire within Washington to find a way out of the conflict that has shaken global markets, pushed oil prices to rise and raised inflation fears again. This also highlights the central question facing US policymakers after the heavy blows to Tehran’s leadership: Who will come next in Iran?White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt declined to comment on the details, calling them “sensitive diplomatic discussions” that would not be conducted through the media.
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Donald Trump earlier this week hinted at reaching out to “very powerful” figures inside Iran and announced a five-day pause on strikes targeting energy infrastructure, signaling a window for diplomacy. He said the two countries were discussing a 15-point framework for ending the conflict, with Iran giving up nuclear weapons among the top priorities.But Ghalibaf said that no negotiations had taken place between Iran and the United States.
Oil remains a central element in the administration’s calculations. Officials say Trump is reluctant to target Kharg Island — Iran’s main oil hub — in the hope that a future leadership arrangement will lead to favorable energy deals. One official likened this approach to Washington’s strategy in Venezuela, where cooperation with figures close to Nicolas Maduro helped secure oil interests.However, some in Trump’s circle warn that such predictions may be overly optimistic.
They point out that Iran has shown resilience under pressure and is unlikely to concede easily, especially regarding strategic assets such as oil.Others suggest that the president may be overestimating progress to buy time and stabilize markets, especially after issuing earlier warnings about the Strait of Hormuz.Doubts also surround Qalibaf himself. Analysts describe him as a deeply rooted establishment figure – ambitious and pragmatic, but fundamentally committed to preserving Iran’s political system.
This makes it unlikely to make major concessions to Washington, especially amid growing mistrust in the wake of recent US and Israeli actions.At the same time, the administration appears to be excluding exiled opposition figures such as Reza Pahlavi, citing concerns about their lack of domestic legitimacy. Instead, the focus remains on insiders who already have influence within the Iranian regime.Ghalibaf has publicly denied holding any talks with Washington, although US officials downplay those statements as political positions.For now, management says it is still in an exploratory phase – watching closely to see who emerges as a viable, powerful broker.“We are trying to figure out who can step up and who wants to step up,” one official said. “Then we test them.” A senior White House official added that Trump is keen to achieve progress in the Strait of Hormuz and push for a ceasefire, stressing that “like everyone else, he prefers peace to war.”